As Walder would later remind us, Fireman Ed—real name Ed Anzalone—walked out on the Jets and left his unofficial post as the franchise's most recognizable super fan amid a turbulent season.

And that's when he took his ability to get the fans "crunked" with him. Not a single game has gone properly crunked since.

Back in November 2012, Anzalone wrote a Metrocolumn (h/t Larry Brown Sports), spelling out why he wouldn't return to the stadium as his alter ego.

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Sure, he may show up now and again to cheer the team, but he wouldn't don the iconic cap, because, as he states, things have changed for the worse:

On Thanksgiving night, I left the Jets game before halftime. This was the second time in a row I left before there were four zeroes on the clock. We have had much worse teams than this and I never left before. I pride myself in that, because I am not a quitter.

I decided to leave Thursday because the confrontations with other Jets fans have become more common, even though most Jets fans are fantastic.

This is an indication of how society has lost and is continuing to lose respect for one another. The stadium has become divided because of the quarterback controversy as well. The fact that I chose to wear a Mark Sanchez jersey this year and that fans think I am on the payroll — which is an outright lie — have made these confrontations more frequent. Whether it’s in the stands, the bathroom or the parking lot, these confrontations are happening on a consistent basis.

It's a sad day when a fan feels the need to walk away from the team, but let's not get melodramatic here. Every team goes through its fair share of rough patches, but we don't need to pretend Peyton Manning just retired.

Then again, maybe that's how the story seems to Reed, who wonders where that loud guy with the fireman helmet went.

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At 5-6 and riding a two-game losing skid into their game against Miami, the Jets don't have any hope that Fireman Ed is going to suddenly show up and energize the team.

That's fine, because Ed Reed is here. He may not be a fireman, but he is quick with some intriguing quips and quotes.

It’s football, man. This is a child’s game we play. Football doesn’t change. If you’re not having fun, you might as well leave this game. And that’s why I’ve been playing for so long. Until I stop having fun or the Lord says something different, I’ll be playing this game.

Reed works hard and plays hard in the same game. So perhaps Jets fans can simmer down for a second and take things easier on other fans, no matter which jerseys they decide to wear.

Maybe Fireman Ed would still be around, and that other Ed might be able to catch a glimpse.